Midland police seek suspect in shooting

Published 6:00 pm, Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Midland police were continuing Wednesday to seek the suspect or suspects and vehicle involved in a drive-by shooting Tuesday night.

Police responded to a call of shots fired at 511 East Estes Avenue around 9 p.m. Tuesday.

There, officers found 21-year-old Anthony Flores lying in the street in front of the residence with gunshot wounds to his right forearm and left thigh, according to a Midland Police Department release.

Preliminary investigations indicated Flores was the victim of a drive-by shooting. Witnesses said they heard multiple gunshots and then saw a gold Ford Expedition flee the scene, according to the release.

Investigators said the shots were from a .38-caliber handgun. Several shell casings were found near the victim.

Flores was transported to Midland Memorial Hospital, where he was treated for both gunshot wounds sustained. His injuries were not life threatening, according to the release.

Midland Memorial Hospital officials said Flores was no longer a patient there Wednesday morning.

MPD Sgt. David Garcia said detectives have developed a few people of interest and are conducting an investigation into trying to gather more information since Flores is not providing much insight into the shooting to officers.

"This is another one of those cases where the victim is not really forthcoming with all the information we need to make the case," he said.

So far, police do not have a motive or reason into why Flores was shot.

"He's the only one that knows and he's not telling us," Garcia said. "We're unable to complete the investigation."

All Flores has told detectives is that he was minding his own business and was suddenly shot. But Garcia said police believe there may be more to the story.

"We're pretty sure the victim knows a lot more than he's saying," he said.

Police said there are other means though in trying to solve the case, such as through Crime Stoppers tips and call-ins, and are asking anyone with information to contact authorities.

Investigators are attempting to locate the suspect vehicle. It is unknown at this time the number of occupants who were in the vehicle being sought, according to the release.

Anyone with information is asked to call Midland police at 685.7108 or Crime Stoppers at 694-TIPS.

This is the third shooting to take place in Midland this month, according to Reporter-Telegram records.

Toby Stewart, 34, was shot June 15 when he was involved in an altercation at the Northridge Court Apartments near Midland Drive and Wadley Avenue.

David Chadwick Gafford, 31, turned himself in several days after the incident and was released on bond from the Ector County Law Enforcement Center June 25.

Weldon Maurice Cooks, 29, was shot June 9 at his parents' home in the 3600 block of Thomason Drive and died the following day from his wounds.

His mother, 48-year-old Birdie Cooks Mitchell, father, 50-year-old George Mitchell Jr., and brother, 23-year-old Jarvis Mitchell were arrested June 16 on charges of murder and tampering with physical evidence in relation to the case.

All three remained in custody at the Midland County Detention Center Wednesday on $1 million bonds, according to Midland County records.